Dartmouth High Theatre Company bringing ‘A Christmas Story’ to life

An iconic Christmas classic involving the famed Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot range model air rifle, an ice cold flag pole, and plenty of family drama is set to come to life on stage.

This year’s holiday production of A Christmas Story will feature Dartmouth performers of all ages. The Dartmouth High School Theatre Company-led performance is an opportunity to bring the world of A Christmas Story to life, explained Director Denis Lawrence Jr.

“I wanted to show this because it’s a holiday classic,” Lawrence said. “It brings the classic motion picture that everyone’s familiar with, and brings the characters to life.”

As any fan of the film knows, the story centers on a mischievous and bold child named Ralphie, but is told from a more mature and older Ralphie’s perspective. That means having two lead Ralphies in the play: one younger, and one older narrator.

“Ralphie is a young kid, and he can be a troublemaker,” Sioch said. “He definitely wants to get his way most of the time.”

For Sioch, it was not hard to tap into the inner rebellious nature of Ralphie.

“I can connect a lot to Ralphie,” Sicoh said. “During Christmas time I always want one special thing — right now it’s an iPhone — and Ralphie wants his legendary Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot range model air rifle.”

“Ralphe’s just a very fun character that I can take in many different directions,” Sioch said. “In different scenes he can either be sad or he can be happy, and I just love being able to portray him in many different ways.”

Dartmouth High senior Kempton Campbell is an “older” Ralphie and the show’s narrator. He tells his recollection of his younger self’s holiday adventures and moves the production along. Despite the age difference, and growing up, however, Ralphie still shares pride in his youth.

“I think he’s still rebellious in a sense, but I think he’s changed a little bit so he can look back on his past and know that he has changed, but he still enjoys that part of his childhood,” Campbell said.

There are many iconic moments in the film, but one that stands out to many is the “triple dog dare” flag pole scene, in which Ralphie’s friend Flick gets his tongue tied up in a flag pole one cold winter day.

“It’s a little nerve wracking, because I’ve never had this opportunity before,” said Brady Jackson, who plays Flick. “It’s really fun because I can put a little bit of myself into [Flick].”

“I absolutely love it because I get to be a part of the flag pole scene, which I feel is one of the more iconic parts of the play,” Hughes said. “Being a part of that is awesome.”

Hughes noted she gets to play both a serious and strict teacher, and a goofy and aloof character when she appears in Ralphie’s day dreams.

Shows will be held on December 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. at Dartmouth High School. A matinee performance will be December 8 at 1 p.m.

Visit dhstheatreco.com to purchase tickets, or call (508) 971-2258. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Family four packs are available for $40. Group rate packages are also available.